Watched it from start to finish. Andy's BH started firing towards the end which what got him the win, Nalby played some inspired tennis and nearly dropshotted Andy into submission. The angles the Argentine was able to create was unreal.

Andy really had to dig deep get the W and though was fortunate to get the lucky net cord to break for 6-5 in the 3rd, I think Andy totally deserved to go through tonight.

If you look at all of Andy's slam progressions in the last 18 months, there is always a tricky match in the earlier rounds (Wawrinka Wimby '09, Isner AO '10, Lubicic Wimby '11, Hasse USO '11 and Harrison AO '12 being examples). Once he got through those matches, it eases him and he is able to get a lot of confidence to charge through to the latter stages. The top 3 has done pretty much the same, that's why they can get through to finals on a consistent basis to keep themselves in contention.

Andy did a lot of growing up tonight, he knuckled down towards the end and got job done when it really mattered.

As I couldn't watch it really appreciative of such a detailed report which gives real flavour of match. Sounds like a good W but just hope didn't take too much toll on his back. Well done our birthday boy.

Just got in.. missed the whole match, so thanks Hazel for the very good report. Sounds like there were some nail-biting moments, but good to hear Andy raised his game when it counted.

Indeed! Like when he was 3-1 down in the 3rd and I'm sitting watching in a pub, but was so engrossed I forgot where I was, and shouted "FFS Andy - get your b***** finger out!!". Fortunately, he did, but a member of staff commented that she didn't know tennis could be that exciting!

Great match! I just watched it on the catch up service Tennis TV now has and I am so happy I did. Wonderful imaginative tennis from Nalbandian and a really good response from Andy. Took the 3rd set when he remembered that you can go down the line with your backhand, not just cross court. Looking forward to a good match against Gasquet. Ah it's good to have Andy back.

Great match! I just watched it on the catch up service Tennis TV now has and I am so happy I did. Wonderful imaginative tennis from Nalbandian and a really good response from Andy. Took the 3rd set when he remembered that you can go down the line with your backhand, not just cross court. Looking forward to a good match against Gasquet. Ah it's good to have Andy back.

That catch-up is great. I watched the match in a pub (out of necessity, I may say!) but half the time I couldn't see the ball. Just watched the 3rd set again and was able to appreciate how good the standard of tennis was and how well Andy managed to dig himself out of trouble. Just hope that when he clutched his back at one point after stretching for the ball that he hasn't reignited the injury that kept him out of Madrid.